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On the Path to Fitness for All

UFIT USA Launch and Global Launch of the Marseille Declaration

May 17, 2016

On the 16th of May 2016 two exciting launches took place at the American Heart Association in Washington DC – (1) the UFIT USA Launch and (2) the Global Launch of the Marseille Declaration. Both initiatives are the kick off to a social change movement aiming to increase fitness opportunities for people with disabilities and by that striving for more inclusion in society.

The National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD);

The International Health, Racquet and Sports club Association (IHRSA);

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM);

The American Council of Exercise (ACE); and

The US Registry of Exercise Professionals (US REPS); and

The UNESCO Chair, Institute of Technology Tralee, Ireland.

The UFIT USA Launch started off with a welcome address by Catherine Carty, the manager of the UNESCO Chair, Dr. Oliver Murphy, President of the Institute of Technology Tralee, and Cllr. Terry O’Brien, from the Chair Board of Governors of the Institute. Then a video message by Pati Umaga, the UFIT Music Partner followed, including his song “Sive”. After that various members of the US Taskforce officially launched UFIT USA and the Marseille Declaration. Among them were Shellie Pfohl and Lauren Darensbourg from the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition; Scott Goudeseune from ACE; Joe Moore, Helen Durkin and Kilian Fisher from IHRSA; Jim Whitehead from ACSM; James H. Rimmer from NCHPAD; Wade Delk from US REPS and Mary Davis from Special Olympics International. For more information on the program, speakers and the US Taskforce Organizations, please have a look at these links: Program, Infographic 1, Infographic 2

Global Launch of the Marseille Declaration

What is the Marseille Declaration?

The Marseille Declaration is supported by UNESCO and represents a commitment to inclusion by and for the Fitness Sector and is in full alignment with UNESCO’s International Charter of Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport (2015) and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006). As a Social Change Movement the Declaration should be signed by all those who believe in the power of the Fitness Sector to act as a key societal conduit through which we can foster greater social inclusion of people with disabilities and other marginalized groups.

The Marseille Declaration Launch took place in combination with the UFIT USA Launch. The Declaration was signed multiple times today and thereby marks the great commitment and start for future signings and commitment to inclusivize the Fitness Sector.

Who can sign the Marseille Declaration? All those who believe in the power of the Fitness Sector to act as a key societal conduit through which we can foster greater social inclusion of people with disabilities and other marginalized groups. Including

The UNESCO Chair in Inclusive Fitness thanks all partners and supporters, specifically the US UFIT Taskforce partners and collaborators and looks forward to seeing the UFIT programme carried out in various parts of the world. Moreover, the UNESCO Chair is excited to see many more federations, organisations, groups and individuals signing the Marseille Declaration.

For further information please have a look at our websites and social media:

We also invite you to support us by taking to social media and help us to get trending by using the main hashtag #YouFitIn as well as tagging us in your tweets/facebook posts @UNESCOITTralee and/or @justdoUFIT

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